Optimization of the Electrochemical Extraction and Recovery of Metals from Electronic Waste Using Response Surface Methodology

Journal Article · Thu Jun 08 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.7b01009· OSTI ID:1400265

Diaz, Luis A. ^[1]; Clark, Gemma G. ^[1]; Lister, Tedd E. ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States). Biological and Chemical Processing Dept.

The rapid growth of the electronic waste can be viewed both as an environmental threat and as an attractive source of minerals that can reduce the mining of natural resources, and stabilize the market of critical materials, such as rare earths. Here in this article surface response methodology was used to optimize a previously developed electrochemical recovery process for base metals from electronic waste using a mild oxidant (Fe³⁺). Through this process an effective extraction of base metals can be achieved enriching the concentration of precious metals and significantly reducing environmental impacts and operational costs associated with the waste generation and chemical consumption. The optimization was performed using a bench-scale system specifically designed for this process. Operational parameters such as flow rate, applied current density and iron concentration were optimized to reduce the specific energy consumption of the electrochemical recovery process to 1.94 kWh per kg of metal recovered at a processing rate of 3.3 g of electronic waste per hour.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1400265
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU--16-37878
• Journal Information: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Journal Issue: 26 Vol. 56; ISSN 0888-5885
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Electrochemical recovery
Electronic waste
Metal recycling